PayByState

Iowa · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in Iowa

Median $38,220 · Top 10% earn $47,730+ · Roughly 7,640 workers in Iowa. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Iowa median
$38,220
$18.38/hr
Top 10%
$47,730
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$28,440
Entry-level range
Real pay
$42,800
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.3)

Iowa pays modestly below the U.S. median for medical assistants — $38,220 versus the national median of $42,000. Iowa's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $800 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 7,640 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in Iowa

Iowa pays close to the U.S. median for medical assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Iowa ranks #39 of 50 states

Where Iowa sits in the national distribution for medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Iowa
#36 Georgia $38,640 +$420
#35 Nebraska $39,060 +$840
#34 North Carolina $39,060 +$840
#39 Iowa (this page) $38,220 —
#44 South Dakota $37,380 −$840
#45 Oklahoma $37,380 −$840
#46 Kentucky $37,380 −$840
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Education path for Iowa

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the Iowa median of $38,220, payback periods are typically 2.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Medical Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Iowa selected.

Medical Assistant salary in Iowa — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in Iowa?
The median medical assistant salary in Iowa is $38,220 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $28,440; the top 10% earn $47,730 or more. About 7,640 people work in this role across the state.
How does Iowa medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
Iowa's median of $38,220 is $3,780 below the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.3), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $42,800.
Is medical assistant a good career in Iowa?
On the data: Iowa employs roughly 7,640 medical assistants, with a median wage of $38,220 and the top decile clearing $47,730. The role is projected to grow +14% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for medical assistants in Iowa?
At the Iowa median of $38,220 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $18.38/hr. The top 10% earn around $22.95/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $13.67/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Iowa-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Iowa's RPP is 89.3 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.